FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to a turbine system, and more particularly
to sealing devices and methods for providing seals between adjacent components of
a turbine system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Turbine systems are widely utilized in fields such as power generation. A conventional
gas turbine system, for example, includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine.
During operation of a turbine system, various components in the system are subjected
to high temperature flows. Many of the components are disposed in annular arrays about
an axis of the gas turbine system. Further, many of the components are positioned
adjacent to other components, in annular arrays, radially, axially, or otherwise.
For example, compressor and turbine blades, nozzles, and shroud blocks are positioned
in annular arrays and are further positioned adjacent to each other. Frequently, gaps
exist between adjacent components. These gaps may allow for leakage of the high temperature
flows from the hot gas path, resulting in decreased performance, efficiency, and power
output of the turbine system.
[0003] Further, since higher temperature flows generally result in increased performance,
efficiency, and power output of the turbine system, the components of the system must
be cooled to allow the turbine system to operate at increased temperatures. Various
strategies are known in the art for cooling various components. For example, a cooling
medium may be routed to the components. However, the gaps between adjacent components
may allow for leakage of the cooling medium and mixing with the high temperature flows,
resulting in further decreased performance, efficiency, and power output of the turbine
system.
[0004] Various strategies are known in the art to reduce turbine system losses due to leakage
and mixing. For example, sealing mechanisms, such as leaf seals, spring seals, and
pins, have been utilized to seal the gaps between various adjacent components. However,
these sealing mechanisms, while preventing some leakage, may not adequately seal the
gaps between adjacent components.
[0005] Thus, an improved sealing device and an improved method for providing a seal between
adjacent components in a turbine system are desired in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following
description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice
of the invention.
[0007] In one aspect, the invention resides in a sealing device for providing a seal between
adjacent components including a seal plate configured to provide a seal between adjacent
components, a wire mesh mounted to the seal plate, the wire mesh defining a plurality
of voids, and a sealant impregnating the wire mesh such that at least a portion of
the plurality of voids include the sealant therein.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention resides in a method for providing a seal between
adjacent including mounting a wire mesh to a seal plate, the seal plate configured
to provide a seal between the adjacent components, the wire mesh defining a plurality
of voids, and impregnating the wire mesh with a sealant such that at least a portion
of the plurality of voids include the sealant therein.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompany drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a gas turbine system according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the turbine section of a gas turbine system including
a plurality of sealing devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sealing device sealing a gap between adjacent components
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a sealing device according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device, along the lines 5--5 of FIG.
4, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more
examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way
of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations
can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of
the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment
can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it
is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as
come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine system 10. The system 10 may include
a compressor 12, a combustor 14, and a turbine 16. Further, the system 10 may include
a plurality of compressors 12, combustors 14, and turbines 16. The compressor 12 and
turbine 16 may be coupled by a shaft 18. The shaft 18 may be a single shaft or a plurality
of shaft segments coupled together to form a shaft 18.
[0013] The compressor 12 and the turbine 16 may each include a plurality of stages. For
example, one embodiment of a turbine 16 including three stages is shown in FIG. 2.
For example, a first stage of the turbine 16 may include an annular array of nozzles
22 and an annular array of buckets 24. The nozzles 22 may be disposed and fixed circumferentially
about the shaft 18. The buckets 24 may be disposed circumferentially about the shaft
18 and coupled to the shaft 18. A shroud 26, formed by an annular array of shroud
blocks 28, may surround the buckets 24 and be connected to the nozzles 22 to partially
define hot gas path 29. A second stage of the turbine 16 may be disposed downstream
of the first stage and include similarly disposed nozzles 32, buckets 34, and shroud
36 formed by shroud blocks 28 and partially defining hot gas path 29. A third stage
of the turbine 16 may be disposed downstream of the second stage and may include similarly
disposed nozzles 42, buckets 44, and shroud 46 formed by shroud blocks 48 and partially
defining hot gas path 29. It should be understood that neither the turbine 16 nor
the compressor 12 is limited to three stages, but rather that any suitable number
of stages is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it should
be understood that the various components of the turbine 16 need not be arranged as
described above, and rather that any suitable arrangement of components in a turbine
16, compressor 12, or system 10 in general is within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure.
[0014] Various adjacent components of the turbine 16 as shown in FIG. 2, various adjacent
components of the compressor 12, such as buckets, nozzles, and shroud components,
and/or various adjacent components of the system 10 in general, may define gaps 50
therebetween. These gaps may allow for the leakage of hot gas or cooling fluid therethrough,
thus reducing the efficiency and output of the system 10.
[0015] Thus, an improved sealing device 60 is disclosed for providing a seal between adjacent
components, such as adjacent components of a turbine system 10. In exemplary embodiments,
the adjacent components may be any components at least partially exposed to a high
temperature flow of gas through the system 10. For example, a component, designated
in FIG. 3 as component 62, may be a bucket, nozzle, shroud, transition piece, retaining
rings, compressor exhaust, or any components thereof, as described above or otherwise.
However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any
above disclosed components, and rather that any suitable adjacent components defining
gaps 50 therebetween are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the sealing device 60 of the present disclosure may
comprise various components configured to provide improved sealing in gaps 50 between
adjacent components 62 of a system 10. For example, the sealing device 60 may include
a seal plate 70. The seal plate 70 may be configured to provide a seal between adjacent
components 62 of the turbine system 10. The seal plate 70 may have any shape and size
suitable to fit in a gap 50. In exemplary embodiments, for example, the seal plate
70 may include a first outer surface 72, an opposed second outer surface 74, and an
edge surface 76 therebetween. The edge surface 76 may at least partially define the
periphery of the seal plate 70.
[0017] The seal plate 70 may in general be formed from any suitable material. For example,
the seal plate 70 may be formed from a metal or metal alloy. In exemplary embodiments,
the seal plate 70 may be formed from a steel alloy, such as a high temperature steel
alloy. Alternatively, the seal plate 70 may be formed from any suitable material,
such as a ceramic or other suitable non-metal.
[0018] As discussed above, the seal plate 70 may be configured to provide a seal between
adjacent components 62. For example, the seal plate 70 may be sized and shaped to
cover at least a portion of a gap 50 between adjacent components 62, thus at least
partially blocking the leakage of flows through the gap 50. Additionally or alternatively,
the seal plate 70 may include a load member 78 or a plurality of load members 78.
The load member 78 may be configured to contact one or more of the adjacent components
62 to provide the seal. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates the load members 78 directly
contacting various surfaces of the adjacent components 62, with the seal plate 70
extending through the gap 50 between the adjacent components 62. A load member 78
may contact one or more surfaces of one or more adjacent components 62. This may allow
the load members 78 to position the seal plate 70 in the gap 50 to provide sealing
of the gap 50.
[0019] Further, as discussed below, in some embodiments, load members 78 may be configured
to prevent other elements of the sealing device 60, such as wire meshes and sealants,
from contacting the adjacent components 62. Alternatively, however, the other elements
may be mounted on the seal plate 70 such that portions of the elements coat the load
members 78. In these embodiments, the load members 78 may indirectly contact the adjacent
components 62, with portions of the various elements disposed between the load members
78 and the various surfaces of the adjacent components 62.
[0020] A load member 78 may, in some embodiments, further be resilient, and thus have spring-like
characteristics that provide sealing between the adjacent components 62. For example,
a seal plate 70 including a load member 78 or a plurality of load members 78 may be
placed in a gap 50 with the load members 78 compressed against a surface or surfaces
of a component 62. The resilient force of the load members 78 acting counter to the
compressive force on the load members 78 may force the seal plate 70 in the gap 50
against the adjacent components 62, thus further sealing the gap 50.
[0021] The load members 78 may, in exemplary embodiments, be integral with the remainder
of the seal plate 70. For example, the load members 78 may be portions of the seal
plate 70, such as side portions adjacent to or including a portion of the edge surface
76, that are bent or deformed. In exemplary embodiments, as shown, the members 78
may have hook-like shapes. In alternative embodiments, the members 78 may not be integral
with the remainder of the seal plate 70, and may instead be additionally added components
mounted to the seal plate 70.
[0022] A load member 78 may be formed or mounted along a portion of the length of the seal
plate 70 or the entire length of the seal plate 70, and/or or a portion of the width
of the seal plate 70 or the entire seal plate 70. Alternatively, a load member 78
may be disposed along the entire periphery of the seal plate 70, or may be formed
or mounted in any suitable location on the seal plate 70. In exemplary embodiments,
as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the seal plate 70 may include two load members 78 disposed
on opposing sides of the seal plate 70 and extending throughout the length of the
seal plate 70.
[0023] The sealing device 60 of the present disclosure may further include a wire mesh 80,
or a plurality of wire meshes 80. Wire mesh 80 may generally provide wear resistance
to the sealing device 60, protecting and reducing wearing of the seal plate 70.
[0024] A wire mesh 80 may include and be formed from a plurality of woven or non-woven strands
82, and may thus define a plurality of voids 84 (see cutaway portion of FIG. 5) between
the various strands 82. The strands 82 may be, for example, metallic strands, non-metallic
strands, or a combination of metallic and non-metallic strands. For example, the wire
mesh 80 may include a steel alloy, such as a high temperature steel alloy. Further,
the wire mesh 80 may include any suitable non-metallic material or materials.
[0025] Wire mesh 80 may be mounted to the seal plate 70. For example, a wire mesh 80 may
be mounted by welding, brazing, or any other suitable mounted process or apparatus.
Further, wire mesh 80 may be mounted to any suitable surface or surfaces of the seal
plate 70. For example, in some embodiments, a wire mesh 80 may be mounted to first
outer surface 72, second outer surface 74, and/or edge surface 76. Wire mesh 80 mounted
to the various surfaces may be a singular wire mesh 80 or a plurality of separate
wire meshes 80, which may have similar or different strand compositions.
[0026] The sealing device 60 of the present disclosure may further include a sealant 90.
The sealant 90 may be applied to the wire mesh 80 such that the sealant impregnates
the wire mesh 80. Impregnating of the wire mesh 80, according to the present disclosure,
means generally filling at least a portion of the voids 84 defined by the wire mesh
80. Thus, after the sealant 90 is applied to the wire mesh 80, the sealant 90 may
impregnate the wire mesh 80 such that at least a portion of the plurality of voids
84, or substantially all of the plurality of voids 84, comprise the sealant 90 therein.
[0027] The sealant 90 may be impregnated into the wire mesh 80 using any suitable processes
or apparatus. For example, impregnation may occur through vacuum sealing, pressure
impregnation, vacuum drawing, or any other suitable impregnation process. Vacuum sealing
may involve, for example, applying the sealant 90 to the wire mesh 80, sealing the
wire mesh 80 and sealant 90 in a sealed environment, and utilizing a vacuum apparatus
in the sealed environment to impregnate the wire mesh 80 with the sealant 90. Pressure
impregnation may involve, for example, applying the sealant 90 to the wire mesh 80,
and then applying pressure to the sealant 90 to impregnate the wire mesh 80 with the
sealant 90, such as with a roller or other suitable device. Vacuum drawing may involve,
for example, sealing the wire mesh 80 and sealant 90 in a sealed environment, and
utilizing a vacuum apparatus in the sealed environment to draw the sealant 90 on and
into the wire mesh 80, impregnating the wire mesh 80.
[0028] The sealant 90 may thus further provide a seal between the adjacent components 62
by preventing leakage around the seal plate 70. For example, leakage that escapes
around the seal plate 70 may advantageously be inhibited from flowing through the
voids 84 in wire mesh 80 and escaping through the gap 50 because of the impregnation
of the voids 84 with the sealant 90.
[0029] In exemplary embodiments, the sealant 90 may be a high temperature sealant 90. Further,
in some embodiments, the sealant 90 may include a clay, such as kaolinite or any other
suitable clay. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the sealant 90 may include
kaolinite, epoxy novolak resin, aluminum powder or aluminum-containing powder, and
calcium carbonate. In another exemplary embodiment, the sealant 90 may include kaolinite,
sodium acrylate, and quartz. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure
is not limited to the above disclosed compositions, and rather that any suitable sealant
90 composition is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
[0030] As discussed, above, load members 78 may be configured to prevent the wire mesh 80
and sealant 90 from contacting the adjacent components 62. Thus, the load members
78 may extend beyond the wire mesh 80 and the sealant 90. For example, the sealing
device 60 may define a thickness 100. The thickness 100 may, in some embodiments,
be in the range between approximately 0.1 inches and approximately 1.5 inches. Thickness
100 may be defined at the thickest portion of the sealing device 60, which may in
some embodiments be at a load member 78 or load members 78. Thus, in embodiments wherein
the load members 78 are configured to prevent the wire mesh 80 and sealant 90 from
contacting the adjacent components 62, the thickness 100 of the remainder of the sealing
device 60 aside from the load members 78 may be less than the thickness 100.
[0031] The sealing device 100 may additionally define a length 102 and a width 104. The
length 102 may, in some embodiments, be in the range between approximately 0.5 inches
and approximately 16 inches. The width 104 may, in some embodiments, be in the range
between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 1.5 inches.
[0032] It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the
above disclosed ranges of thicknesses, lengths, and widths, and rather that any suitable
thicknesses, lengths, and/or widths are within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure.
[0033] The present disclosure is further directed to a method for providing a seal between
adjacent components 62, such as adjacent components 62 of a turbine system 10. The
method may include, for example, mounting a wire mesh 80 to a seal plate 70, as disclosed
above. The method may further include, for example, impregnating the wire mesh 80
with a sealant 90 such that at least a portion of the plurality of voids 84 comprise
the sealant 90 therein, as discussed above.
[0034] Further, the method may include inserting the sealing device 60, such as the seal
plate 70, the wire mesh 80, and the sealant 90, into a gap 50 defined between the
adjacent components 62.
[0035] Further, the method may include curing the sealant 90. In some exemplary embodiments,
the sealant 90 may be cured before the sealing device 60 is inserted into a gap 50.
Alternatively, the sealant 90 may be cured after being inserted in the gap 50. The
sealant 90 may be, for example, sintered, fired, air-cured, temperature-cured, moisture-cured,
or otherwise suitably cured. When the sealant 90 is cured after being inserted in
the gap 50, curing may be completed independently of operation of the system 10, or
may be completed during and due to operation of the system 10.
[0036] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best
mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention,
including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended
to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
1. A sealing device (60) for providing a seal between adjacent components (62), the sealing
device (60) comprising:
a seal plate (70) configured to provide a seal between adjacent components (62);
a wire mesh (80) mounted to the seal plate (70), the wire mesh (80) defining a plurality
of voids (84); and
a sealant (90) impregnating the wire mesh (80) such that at least a portion of the
plurality of voids (84) comprise the sealant (90) therein.
2. The sealing device (60) of claim 1, wherein substantially all of the plurality of
voids (84) comprise the sealant (90) therein.
3. The sealing device (60) of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the seal plate (70) comprises
a load member (78) configured to contact at least one of the adjacent components (62)
to provide the seal.
4. The sealing device (60) of claim 3, wherein the load member (78) is configured to
prevent the wire mesh (80) and the sealant (90) from contacting the adjacent components
(62).
5. The sealing device (60) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wire mesh (80) comprises
a plurality of metallic strands (82).
6. The sealing device (60) of claim 5, wherein the wire mesh (80) further comprises a
plurality of non-metallic strands (82).
7. The sealing device (60) of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealant (90) comprises
a clay.
8. The sealing device (60) of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealant (90) comprises
kaolinite.
9. The sealing device (60) of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seal plate (70) comprises
a metal or metal alloy.
10. A turbine system (10), comprising:
at least two adjacent components (62), the adjacent components (62) defining a gap
(50) therebetween; and
a sealing device (60) disposed in the gap (50), the sealing device (60) as recited
in nay of claims 1 to 9
11. A method for providing a seal between adjacent components (62), the method comprising:
mounting a wire mesh (80) to a seal plate (70), the seal plate (70) configured to
provide a seal between the adjacent components (62), the wire mesh (80) defining a
plurality of voids (84); and,
impregnating the wire mesh (80) with a sealant (90) such that at least a portion of
the plurality of voids (84) comprise the sealant (90) therein.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising inserting the seal plate (70), the wire
mesh (80), and the sealant (90) into a gap (50) defined between the adjacent components
(62).
13. The method of any of claims 11 or 12, further comprising impregnating the wire mesh
(80) with the sealant (90) such that substantially all of the plurality of voids (84)
comprise the sealant (90) therein.
14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the impregnating step comprises one
of vacuum sealing, pressure impregnation, or vacuum drawing.
15. The method of any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising curing the sealant (90).